Stuart Kingston honored for 50 years in business

The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce honored Stuart Kingston Feb. 12 recognizing the auction house's 50-plus years in business.

The occasion was bittersweet for the Stein family after patriarch and longtime owner Jay Stein passed away last summer. Accepting the award were Stein’s daughter and current Stuart Kingston owner, Mauria, and Stein’s widow, Dian, who dedicated the award to Jay.

“He would be so thrilled. And he would just love every second of being honored by the city he loved so much,” Dian said.

Jay’s father, Maurice, founded the gallery and auction house in 1930. Until 1977, Stuart Kingston held weekly auctions on the Boardwalk until moving the auction house to Rehoboth Avenue.

Jay Stein took over Stuart Kingston after his father’s death, and both the business and its owner were icons of the Boardwalk. Presenter Sue Crick said despite his travels around the world buying merchandise for Stuart Kingston, Jay, dubbed the "Mayor of Grenoble Place," always looked forward to returning to his beloved Rehoboth.

Mauria later became involved in the business and was her father’s right hand, working at his side for 27 years and taking over managing Stuart Kingston upon Jay’s death. In 2016, Mauria will move the entire operation to the Rehoboth Avenue location.

“It’s tried, it’s true, and it’s been loyal to Rehoboth Beach,” Crick said.

Big Fish Restaurant Group wins Business of the Year

Big Fish Restaurant Group and its owners, Eric and Norman Sugrue, took honors as 2015 Business of the Year Award.

The group owns numerous restaurants in the Cape Region and beyond, including the flagship Big Fish Grill on Route 1, Salt Air in downtown Rehoboth and the newest venture, Crab House, on Route 1.